Oratory, LD, general debate - Steve Pinker on TED.

Once again a link from TED.com. This is a brief history of violence which Steve Pinker talks about. A good overview of Hobbesian thought and the Leviathan, as well as some interesting evidence for an LD debater to use as a starting point for things like Capital Punishment or other cases involving conflict between an individuals rights and a society. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/163

LD: notes on just society death penalty - DRAFT

This is a ZIP file with notes in Word Doc format and a short article in PDF format.
Resolution is that a just society should not use the death penalty as a form of punishment.

Quote of the day

from TED:
"a good speech is like a miniskirt - short enough to arouse interest but long enough to cover the subject"

Extemp Questions 14 Sept. 2007

• What should the role of the US military in Iraq be for the next 12 months?
• What are Iran's ambitions in the Middle East?
• Would the fall of the Maliki government be good for Iraq?
• Can Chris Dodd win the Democratic nomination in 2008?
• Does the large amount of international aid to Africa impede African development?
• Does foreign aid to Africa encourage ethnic tension?
• Is Africa too dependent on foreign aid?
• How long will it be before US troops are off the front lines in Iraq?

PFD notes: insurance and genetic testing

Public Forum Debate notes on medical insurance and genetic testing policies. ZIP file

PFD notes: internet file sharing

Public Forum Debate notes on internet file sharing. ZIP file

PFD notes: universal health care

Public Forum Debate notes on universal health care insurance.